国内英语新闻:Top Chinese political advisor meets French Polynesia high commissioner

PAPEETE, French Polynesia, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, met with French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat here on Friday.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrived at the South Pacific island Friday afternoon for a technical stopover amid his four-state trip.

Jia Qinglin(1st L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is welcomed by French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat (C) and French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru (1st R) upon his arrival in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. Jia Qinglin arrived at the South Pacific island Nov. 20 for a technical stopover on his way to Peru

    Recently, China-France relations have returned to the right track and showed a sound momentum of development, Jia told Colrat, who welcomed the top Chinese political advisor at the airport.

Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is welcomed by representatives of overseas Chinese upon his arrival in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. Jia Qinglin arrived at the South Pacific island Nov. 20 for a technical stopover on his way to Peru.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a successful meeting in September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon is expected to visit China soon, Jia said.

    The two nations are facing new opportunities to further improve and develop their relations, he added.

    The Chinese government has attached great importance to its friendly relations with France, and will work with France to ensure that bilateral ties will develop along the right direction, he said.

    China is willing to make joint efforts with France to promote the long-term, steady and sound development of China-France all-round strategic partnership based on the principles that the two countries respect each other and treat each other on an equal footing, he added.

    Jia hailed the traditional link between China and the French Polynesia, pledging to keep close contact and expand cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism and aquaculture.

    Colrat, on his part, spoke highly of France-China relations, saying the solid and long-standing bilateral ties will continue to grow despite all difficulties and setbacks.

    He vowed to enhance cooperation with China, expand exchanges between the two peoples and push forward the bilateral ties.

    Jia flew here from